QB a question, defense strong for UAPB
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ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
PINE BLUFF -- The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions have eight starters back on offense. Problem is, their starting quarterback the last two seasons is a free agent with the Indianapolis Colts.
Coach Lee Hardman doesn't sound worried.
Gone is Rod Robinson, who led UAPB to consecutive 8-3 seasons. Last season, as a senior, Robinson threw for 2,117 yards and 15 touchdowns.
His replacement is senior Darrell Shelton, who threw six passes.
"There's no comparison between Rod and Shelton,'' Hardman said. "Rod was bigger and stronger. He had a rocket for an arm. Darrell doesn't have Rod's dimension, but he does have a winning attitude. He's a good athlete. It's just a matter now of him getting in there and gaining some game experience.
"He reminds me of Steve Walsh when he was with the Miami Hurricanes. He doesn't drill the ball. He places it.
"We feel he can do the job."
"When you wait in the wings for three years, you see a lot of things," Shelton said. "You learn a lot of things. I know the system. I've been around. I'm feeling pretty confident right now.
"Really, I think I'm in a great position. I've got good athletes all around me. I've got my entire offensive line back, except for Vincent Gamble [a senior last season]. Most of my running backs are back. I'm in a great position."
Cory Nichols is the one running back gone from last season. The former Arkansas Razorback gained a team-high 849 yards. Back are Oscar Bullard and D.D. Shepherd, who combined for 536 yards.
Nichols' replacement is Ron Johnson, another former Razorback. Johnson, a junior, transferred from Arkansas last January.
"Ron's a good back," Hardman said. "I loved him when he was in high school, and I still see a lot of talent."
"If our running backs have a good year, I'll have a good year," Shelton said. "With Ron Johnson, D.D. Shepherd, and Bullard, they'll tote the load. If they have a big year, we'll win the [Southwestern Athletic Conference]."
Hardman said the Golden Lions' defensive line and defensive backfield could be the team's strength.
"Those positions are very talented,'' Hardman said. "The line is going to be tough. Right down the list, you have Jason Jones, Ernest Grant, Ricardo Garcia, Charlie Edwards. We're probably as big and solid on the defensive line as we've ever been.
"And our defensive backfield has more speed than we've ever had. Our defense is going to be tough."
UAPB led the SWAC last season in fewest yards allowed [294.3 a game], and fewest points allowed [19.7].
"We only have one area of concern, and that's at quarterback," Hardman said. "Our hope is that we don't have to ask him to do anything out of the ordinary. We just need him to lead our team. If he can take care of that, we'll be in good shape."
"Rod Robinson had the strongest arm I've ever seen,'' Shelton said. "My arm's not as strong. I'm not the same person as Rod. I have to go out and establish myself, my personality, and the way I play on the field.
"My goal is to perform to the best of my ability. When I leave, I want people to know I've left it all on the field.''
This article was published on Sunday, August 29, 1999
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